Chennai - Trivandrum - Chennai road trip in Hyundai Creta by Vimal Vittaldas Bhat in mid January 2021

Got a five day off from work from Wednesday, 2021-01-13 thanks to Pongal holidays in Tamil Nadu. The initial plan was to laze around at home with kids and spend time inside the four walls watching movies. 

On Tuesday evening after returning from work and during normal chit chat with better half, an idea popped up to go for a drive. Within a span of 2 hours we finalized on a plan to drive Chennai to Trivandrum and back to Chennai (#Chennai_Trivandrum and #Trivandrum_Chennai). 

The onward route planned was:
Chennai - Krishnagiri - Dharmapuri - Salem - Coimbatore - Palakkad - Cochin - Alleppey - Trivandrum.

The route for the return drive as planned was: 
Trivandrum - Nagercoil - Madurai - Trichi (Tiruchirapalli) - Villupuram - Tindivanam - Chengalpet - Chennai. 

Day 1 (2021-01-13): 
Started at 4.00 am from Chennai. Morning energy coupled with a hot tea enabled us to reach Dharmapuri by 8 am. Before Dharmapuri we had breakfast at Hotel Sangeetha which was found to be clean. It had sufficient parking space. After a break of journey, resumed and reached Palakkad by 2.00 where we had a delicious Kerala meal. Since we still had to cover a long stretch, took off without wasting time and reached Alleppey at 6.30 pm and had a great early dinner. Took a long rest and left for Trivandrum at 8.00 pm. After a long stretch of motoring reached Trivandrum at 11.30 pm. We were very tired after the long drive but at the same time felt happy to see mom's smiling face waiting for us at home. 
 
Distance travelled: 878 kms. 
Route: Chennai to Trivandrum
Road conditions: Chennai to Palakkad was great except some heavy truck traffic. 
Once we entered Kerala there was heavy rush on the road with tricky motor bikers.
Palakkad to Cochin was average with mild traffic.
Cochin to Trivandrum was horrible with single line and hectic trafic.

Day 2 and 3: 
Spent quality time with mom at home. Have heavenly food prepared by her. Enjoyed a small trip to scenic Varkala beach where we had a great evening.

Day 4 (2021-01-16): 
It was time to say good bye to Maa ka hath ka khana 😭 
We choose to return via eastern part of Tamilnadu.
Left home at 4 am from Trivandrum to avoid hectic traffic in Kerala. Successfully entered TN at Nagercoil by 6 am thanks to free roads. After  entering TN drive was as smooth as a cakewalk. Reached Madurai by 10 am and had a delicious breakfast at A2B. Rested for a while and moved forward. The lunch break was near Villupuram at 2 pm at another A2B. The four lane highway made the journey smooth. We reached home in Chennai by 4.30 pm. 
Distance travelled: 689 kms
Route: Trivandrum to Chennai. 
Road Conditions: Till Nagercoil it's horrible but once you enter TN it's time to enjoy cruise control. Superb driving experience on 4 lane highway with median divider till Chennai. Unless you see the ODO, it is difficult to check the speed. 

PS: No e-pass was required at borders. People seem to have forgotten Corona as during the entire journey we found heavy rush of people. 
Vehicle used: Creta 2020 SX Petrol Manual.  
Average mileage: 17 kms per litre. 
ODO pre trip 42110. 
ODO post trip 43677. 
I drove this beauty for 43677 kms in 8 months and believe me it has bee a joy to ride. Vehicle offered great maturity as regards to handling, smoothness and comfort. 
Source: Travelogue by Vimal Vittaldas Bhat in Indian Roadie  Facebook 'group'.